We can play a positive role in tackling climate change and help create a revolution in green consumption.

There is now an overwhelming scientific consensus that climate change is happening. Scientists tell us that man-made emissions of greenhouse gases are a key factor, and that urgent action by governments, businesses and individuals is needed to combat it. This means there needs to be less reliance on fossil fuel, and that we must nurture the idea of a low-carbon society.

As a result, many customers now want to play their part. However, they need help to overcome some key barriers:

A sense that their individual actions won’t make a difference

A lack of information about what to do and

A worry that buying products that help the environment is expensive

Tesco is working to tackle these barriers so that we can help deliver a revolution in green consumption – with the fight against climate change at the very heart of it. We also want to set an example by measuring and reducing CO2 emissions in our own business

Measuring our carbon footprint

We have measured our direct carbon footprint, so now we can identify our biggest impacts and provide transparency within our business about our progress. Our aim is to establish a clear baseline from which to track progress in reducing our emissions, and enable us to identify those areas of our business we need to prioritise. We define the scope of our direct footprint in line with industry standards, which comply with the guidelines set out by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). We included energy use in all Tesco stores, distribution centres and offices as well as emissions from primary distribution, business travel and our Tesco grocery home shopping delivery vans. We also included the impact of the HFC gases used for refrigeration. We recognise that we also have an important role to play in reducing our indirect carbon footprint and are examining ways to help our suppliers and customers reduce their emissions too.

At Tesco Ireland we are working with our customers, suppliers and partners to create a greener environment and raise public awareness of environmental issues. Tesco Ireland is playing its part in tackling one of the gravest threats we all face – climate change. That’s why one of our Group policies is to "put the environment at the heart of everything we do". We are committed to a long-term programme of practical steps to reduce our energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Our goal in sustainable consumption is to drive the trend towards green consumerism by using our power and reach to make it cheaper to go green.

Energy efficient design and technologies

All our stores are built to the highest energy efficient standards and, in the case of our new stores, feature cutting edge energy efficient technologies including the following:

Combined Heat and Power Units - We installed our first Combined Heat and Power (CHP) unit at our store in the Nutgrove Shopping Centre in Dublin in August 2007. The gas burning unit generates electricity for the store while simultaneously recycling the waste heat used in the generation process. This recycled waste heat is then used to provide central heating and hot water for the store. It is estimated that the CHP will save 656 tonnes in carbon emissions each year. We plan to roll out more CHP units in the future.

Lexan Film – This is being installed on fridge glass doors in our frozen food aisles to reduce the energy usage of the refrigerated cabinets. Fan motors are also being replaced with energy efficient motors that use 80% less energy.

PIR Lighting – Lighting in all our stores is being changed from wall switch-controlled lighting to PIR lighting. PIR (Passive InfraRed) lighting has motion detection sensors and is installed in all staff areas. The lights automatically switch off when no one is in the room.

Tesco Ireland’s new store in Tramore, Co Waterford, has incorporated many eco initiatives. The Eco-Store uses 45% less energy than a supermarket of a similar size. It has set a new benchmark for green technology and construction in retail in Ireland. Key features include ecologically sound construction materials, new technology to create self-sufficiency for heating and hot water, solar panels to generate electricity, air retrieval and recycling measures. We are committed to tackling a wide range of issues from reducing packaging to making green choices easier and more affordable for our customers.

What you can do

Recycling is a key issue for our customers. And Tesco Ireland aims to make recycling an important part of the customer’s shopping trip by providing accessible recycling points at our stores.

Tesco Ireland is the country’s largest provider of Bring Centre recycling banks for consumers. We support the Rehab recycling scheme by providing bottle banks where consumers can bring bottles, jars and other waste glassware for recycling.

Some of our stores also provide consumers with facilities to recycle waste plastics and clothing;

Nenagh - (ISPCC)

Tullamore - (ISPCCx1, Teen Line Ireland x2)

Kilbarrack - (Rehab)

Bray

Artaine - (Enable Ireland)

Roscommon

Rathmines

Mitchelstown - (St Vincent De Paul)

Wicklow

Newbridge - (ISPCC / Enable Ireland / Drugs Aware)

Clearwater - (Enable Ireland)

Youghal - (Teen Line Ireland)

Clane - (REHAB)

Tipperary - (ISPCC)

Edenderry - (ISPCC)

New Ross - (Chernobyl Aid)

Birr

Celbridge - (Enable Ireland)

Tramore

Maynooth Extra - (Homeless)

Some of our stores also provide consumers with facilities to recycle glass/bottles;

Wexford - (1)

Nenagh - (5)

Poleberry - (4)

Roxboro - (1)

Tullamore - (5)

Gorey - (5)

Wilton - (4)

Bray - (18)

Artaine - (4)

Roscommon - (10)

Drumcondra - (6)

Rathmines - (4)

Blanchardstown - (3)

Prussia St - (4)

Mitchelstown - (5)

Clarehall - (1)

Arklow - (16)

Wicklow - (4)

Naas - (11)

Newbridge - (4)

Clearwater - (8)

Youghal - (10)

Ardkeen - (5)

Carrick On Shannon - (15)

New Ross - (8)

Birr - (8)

Celbridge - (3)

Abbeyfeale - (1)

Tramore - (5)

Maynooth Extra - (1)

Bailiesboro - (12)

Ballinasloe - (5)

Mobile phones and inkjet cartridges

Recycling your old mobile and inkjet cartridges is as simple as picking up a special recycling envelope at Tesco. You will also find a recycling envelope inside every Tesco Mobile phone and SIM pack.

Tesco Ireland accepts WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) products from consumers free of charge. Take-back is on a one-to-one basis. In other words, the appliance being returned needs to be of similar type or have performed the same function as the new item purchased.

Making green living affordable

Tesco Ireland is making green choices easier and more affordable for our customers. We are making a conscious effort to increase the number of green products in our stores. These include:

Energy-saving light bulbs

Our ‘Naturally’ range of cleaning products. These have been developed to have a lower impact on the environment and include everything from washing-up liquid to fabric conditioners